Microsoft Corporation said Tuesday it would delay the release of its 64-bit operating systems for computers based on x86-64 processors to the first half of 2005 from this year citing necessity for additional “tuning and testing” time for the systems.

“We now anticipate Windows Server 2003 SP1 and Windows Server 2003 for 64-bit Extended Systems will ship in the first half of 2005, whereas we previously estimated the release timing for both to be the end of 2004. Additionally, given Windows XP 64-bit for 64-bit Extended Systems is also tied to Windows Server 2003 SP1, it will also ship the first half of 2005,” a Microsoft spokeswoman told eWeek.